Newsom: Yes, We Will Use Coronavirus to 'Reimagine a Progressive Era'

Gov. Gavin Newsom may be getting praised for California’s early response to coronavirus, which has helped keep the number of cases relatively low compared to New York and New Jersey, but fighting the virus isn’t all that’s on his mind.

During a live daily video press update, Newsom took a question from a reporter for Bloomberg about how much he sees the ability to advance a progressive agenda after the pandemic.

“Many aspects of policy have taken place, changes of policy have taken place that I think a lot of people have found surprising,” the reporter said, citing unemployment benefits and a ban on corporate stock buybacks. “I’m wondering if you see the potential, as many others in the party do, for a new progressive era and opportunity for additional progressive steps?”

After a long, roundabout response, the governor finally responded, “yes.”

“There is opportunity for reimagining a progressive era as it pertains to capitalism,” Newsom said. “Forgive me for being long winded but absolutely we see this as an opportunity to reshape the way we do business and how we govern."

This was @GavinNewsom's worst moment so far. He should have answered that he's 100 percent focused on getting our state through the crisis - not on taking advantage of it politically. pic.twitter.com/tERsV8Zz3z